VW creates an automotive Frankenstein

[Aerodynamix]

Volkswagen CCS Fuel System: Gasoline + Diesel
VW's Engineers Play Alchemists to Create CCS

Canadian Auto Press

CCS isn’t some sort of magical engine that runs on both gasoline and diesel, but rather it takes the best characteristics of both worlds and puts their technology together. The engine has a combustion cycle that’s halfway between that of a diesel and a gasoline engine; the fuel is compressed and ignited in a similar fashion to a gasoline engine (shortly after the piston reaches top dead centre – the full upright position), but the engine has common-rail fuel injectors and no spark plug, like a modern turbodiesel. By comparison, a diesel engine ignites its fuel once when the piston is on its way down the cylinder.

Volkswagen's preliminary test of the engine system shows a 5-percent improvement in fuel consumption as compared to the equivalent TDI engine – the European-only 2.0L inline four – while significantly reducing NOx and soot emissions. The report did not comment on any quantities or levels of particulate reduction, but if Volkswagen can perfect this fuel system it might not need to rely on DaimlerChrysler's urea-based Bluetec system to meet increasingly stringent global emissions standards.

Full Article

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I only found one thread mentioning this system from over a year ago: Thread

[Slack]

Pretty interesting stuff. GM is also working on this technology [gminsidenews.com]. This is the earliest reference I could find to the GM HCCI [gm.com].

[uboys]

Correct--and so is just about everyone--including Honda.
I hope GM comes first.

[HoosierRon]

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005...making_si.html

October 25, 2005

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Honda may introduce an HCCI-type engine in a hybrid application that could result in a new Civic hybrid achieving as much as 65 mpg—30% better than the new 2006 version.

According to the engineers who spoke to the WSJ on the condition of anonymity, the company is ready to reveal its R&D results and show a prototype four-cylinder HCCI engine as early as next year.

HCCI—Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition—relies upon a very lean (high proportion of air to fuel) and well-mixed (Homogeneous) air-fuel mixture (Charge) that is compressed (Compression) until it autoignites (Ignition). (The HCCI approach is also called Controlled Auto-Ignition: CAI.)

The resulting spontaneous burn produces a flameless energy release in a large zone almost simultaneously—very different than the spark/gasoline burn or the compression/diesel burn. (Earlier post.)

HCCI combustion can deliver a very efficient engine, potentially providing a 20% to 30% boost in gasoline engine efficiency without the nasty NOx or PM emissions of a diesel. Theoretically it can operate using a variety of fuels: gasoline, diesel, natural gas, biofuels, or hydrogen. Used in a hybrid application, the more efficient engine would increase the overall fuel efficiency of the powertrain.

Managing the combustion for the different types of fuels, though, is extremely tricky, and is the subject of a large amount of R&D. Most recently, GM announced it is working with supplier Robert Bosch and Stanford University to accelerate development of HCCI engines with a three-year, $2.5-million research program.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005...ch_and_st.html

GM is working with supplier Robert Bosch and Stanford University to accelerate development of HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition—earlier post) engines with a three-year, $2.5-million research program announced today.

GM estimates that HCCI, which can use a range of fuels including but not limited to gasoline and diesel, could enable the improvement of gasoline-engine fuel efficiency by 20%, while achieving near-zero oxide of nitrogen (NOx) emissions and particulates—contributors to ozone depletion and smog....

"It is GM’s goal to develop and demonstrate the viability of HCCI—a clean, efficient combustion process—within the next few years. The joint program will allow us to expand the scope of controls, sensors, and actuators work beyond what we’re already doing toward this goal.

...gasoline engines could achieve 80% of diesel engine efficiency for about 50% of the cost."

—Dr. Gary Smyth, director of Powertrain Systems Research Lab

[BlueMontreal]

Anything to reduce fuel consumption is a good thing. It can't come soon enough.

[69Firebird400]

This might have been the most interesting part of the article, at least to me, because I was wondering if it combines parts of both the gasoline and diesel combustion processes, which fuel it would use:

In fact, the CCS system may eliminate the need for conventional diesel and gasoline as Volkswagen is already planning a new kind of environmentally friendly fuel for the unprecedented program. The brand is drawing on advances it made using synthetically-made Synfuel and Sunfuel, which are manufactured from natural gas and waste biomass (manure, peat, dead plants, etc.), and do not contain sulfur or harmful aromatic compounds. Because the fuels are scientifically developed, it ensures a higher quality, cleaner burning energy source can be made. Volkswagen currently runs fleets of cars that run on Synfuel and Sunfuel and sees these two routes as potentially viable ways of solving the pending fuel crunch.

Oh, and any discussion of Volkswagen making "automotive Frankensteins" would be incomplete without the ultimate VW Frankenstein!

[IROCNROL1]

Originally Posted by BlueMontreal

Anything to reduce fuel consumption is a good thing. It can't come soon enough.

I couldn't get my sails with built in solar panels to work. Maybe someone else can.

[PocoToro]

Originally Posted by IROCNROL1

I couldn't get my sails with built in solar panels to work. Maybe someone else can.

The first time I read this I thought you said "snails"
(yes I put my reading glasses on and reread)

It is pronounced "Fronken-steen"
tribute to Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder

[BigRedSpecial]

Originally Posted by Article

CCS isn’t some sort of magical engine that runs on both gasoline and diesel

Hahahaha... I find that hilarious. Heavy diesel manufacturers have been making gas/diesel combo engines since the late 60's, known as semi-diesels; not the same as what the article is talking about, but they did run on both fuels.

A lot of heavy equipment used them(bulldozers, etc); they would start on gas(with a spark ignition), and once partially warmed up, would switch over to diesel(compression ignition). This partially solved the problem of hard starting with older diesels, and cold weather issues.

EDIT: After searching for a link to back this up, I've found that semidiesels were basically low compression diesels that used the equivalent of a glow plug to help ignite the charge. The engine I described must be called something different.

[LAMRONH]

Gee, an auto company working on a totally new fuel. Talk about opening a new market, bypassing the competition.

[BlueMontreal]

Originally Posted by IROCNROL1

I couldn't get my sails with built in solar panels to work. Maybe someone else can.

OK then... almost anything.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by BlueMontreal

Anything to reduce fuel consumption is a good thing. It can't come soon enough.

HCCI has been a kind of internal combustion Holy Grail for a LONG time. The problem is that you are basically trying to make the engine "knock" (ignite w/o spark) except at exactly the right moment. It's been impossible for a long time to get an engine that can do this reliably at infinitely variable power outputs.

[Russell]

So does this mean 2 fuel tanks? If so, a few people will probably mix up one for the other.

[PA Dweller]

Does this new engine run on gasoline or diesel?

[johnny smallblock]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

Does this new engine run on gasoline or diesel?

It runs on love.